Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-14 Airport Committee MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP Tuesday, October 14,1997 @5:W PM MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM MINUTE COUNCILORS PRESENT: Councilor Patricia Blaa&eve Councilor lames Tyler Councilor David Ba1deCC1 Councilor DaDavid Leen Councilor MichaelAube N Councilor Nimbi Farnham Councilor Timothy Woodcock STAFF PRESENT: Edward A. Barrett, City Manager Rodney O. McKay, D'vec ofCommurdty &Economic Development Ron Heiler, Finance Director Michael Dyer,, Economic Development Park Peter Ring, Ci y E Economic Developmcvt OfRcer Eames Ring, City Engineer Erik d, City Solicitor Norman m HeiHeimam, Asst City Solicitor Dale Therizelt, Communityector of Fades Development Recreation Linda h o pCommmdry Development Dm Thompson STADIUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hugh Morrison Dave Clark OTHERS PRESENT: Dean Gyorgy, Blue Ox Gerry Palmer, Blue Ox Vince Bums, Blue Ox MEDIA PRESENT: Roxame Shucks, BDN Channels 2, 5 & Tom Palmer, Lafayette Hotels, Bangor Thomas Hickey, Bangor Resident Charles & Marguerite Birml, Bangor Residents Charles & Rise Helfan, Bangor Residents Fred Vardamis, Bangor Resident Martha & Royce Day, Bangor Residents Councilor Blanchette opened the Council Workshop w 5:00 PM. This meeting was called is order to receive the report of the AdHoc Stadium Committee which took place over 5 meetings from September 15 to Omober 1. Councilor Tyler reviewed the process as well as the purpose of chase meetings which was to provide the entire Council wild adequate detailed estimates and factual information with respect to the potential construction of the multi-purpose facility. Basic issues covered were site location and preparation costs, construction cost of the stadium, anticipated revenues and operating costs in order to determine whether or not the City should participate and, if an, at what level Rod McKay, Director of Community & Economic Development, gave further background on the overall process leading up an, the formation of the Stadium Committee including issuing the initial RFP for a contract to do a market feasibility study for a multi- purpose stadium. This report began several months ago and the first draft was received in July of this year. From these early reports it became apparent to sniff that a different local forum was needed to look at the issues which concerned Bwagor-this resulted in the formation of the AdHoc Stadium Committee. Rad reviewed the Coopers& Lybrand report outlining such things as anticipated attendance, revenues aril operatmg costs. He gave further derail of the issues undertaken by the Adhot Smdium Committee such as possible methods of supporting the proposed facility with financial mechanisms such as a local options tax, private donations, fedenl and some grunts, bonds and appropriations, and tax increment financing. The National Guard has been contacted to see if they could assist in the site work They responded that in 1998 they are booked but would consider the project for 1999 if it is approved by the Bangor City Coumil. Snffhas also recently met with representatives of the Blue Ox to determine what their commitment is to the wrutructioNapevution of the stadium. They have offered the City of Bangor $40,000 per year in rental paymerhstovar ds operating the facility for 42 games. As another alternative they take over operation of the facility, pay all expenses except those related to concurs and other non -Blue Ox events; thry would operate the concessions and the facility. This would absolve the City of any risk ofoperating losses of Ne facility. Copies of both reports were made available to those in attendance. At the City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 15, there will be a Resolve on the agenda for firs[ reading which states that the City would agree to provide up to $2 million in minching funds for the construction of the stadium with candidate being that finding from other sources be made available; that the City have received pledges of the other funds by February 1, 1998 and that the other finds be in hand by May 1, 1998. Councilor SlancMtre asked for comments from other Councilors. No comments at this time. She Nen asked the residents in attendance for Net comments. Charles Helfen, Bangor resident, asked if the Blue Our were sold to a private individual who would be liable for thein tong -term financial contracts, long -tens lease or any other financial responsibilities assumed by Mr. Vince Bums of the Blue Ox. Councilor Tyler responded that he would not support the City entering into a commitment that would not require legal liability going with the responsible party. He then tamed the issue over to City Solicitor F'k Stumpfel who stated that there are ways to secure the revenue stream even if the Blue O c should leave. Charles Bickel, Bangor resident, stated that the Civic Center and Auditorium we in need of major repairs and that any available revenues should be focused first on this facility. He questioned the necessity and financial feasibleness of the stadium project at this time, emphasizing to the Councilors that the associated fmancial costs need to be looked at very carefully. Councilor Blanchette responded to Mr. Baked's concern with respect to reports at the Civic Center and Auditorium seating that per recommendations from the Bass Park Adhoc Committee fonds have been allocated this yew to do the roof, the basketball floor, venting and the concession areas. The committee's other recommendations have been taken very seriously by the Council and they will be handled piece meal as fiends allow. With no fuller business at hand, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM.